As morning regulars filed in and out of the new McDonald's in front of the Ocean Springs Wal-Mart store, several senior citizens begin to gather in the store's center section. The coffee was steaming and the conversation lively.

The chilly Valentine's Day morning marked the kick-off of the senior bingo at this recently-opened restaurant. As other golden-agers meandered in, the area began to fill. Employee Paulette Squires set out the bingo cage, distributed cards and handed out coffee mugs imprinted with the familiar golden arches. Employee Virginia Coakley chatted with bingo players while arranging small red buckets filled with red and silver foil-wrapped chocolates on dainty white doilies.

Followed by a gust of cold air, Pat Descher, who, with husband Bill, owns various McDonald's along the Coast, breezed in to welcome participants at this new location, which is owned by their son, Greg Descher. It was clear she saw many familiar faces and enjoyed laughing and talking with these long-time customers. Before heading out, she stopped to talk over some business matters with store manager Shirrell Williams.

"We were so impressed with how many came today," Descher said with a smile. "We hope they will come back."

As the cage containing the 75 numbered balls was given a good spin by Squires, players lined up their cards and got down to business. Most used the little sliding tabs to mark their cards, but some, such as Roy McBride, brought their own markers. Perched on a stool, McBride got a pile of pennies ready to cover his numbers.